Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1887-06-17
LINCOLN IN 1854.

LINCOLN IN 1851.
But now a new actor came forward
on the political stage in central Illinois;
or rather, an old favorite reappeared.
This was Abraham Lincoln. Since his
return to Springfield from his single
term OF service in Congress-, 1877 to
1S49, though by no means entirely
Withdrawn from politics, his active
work had been greatly diminished
His congressional life had largely in
creased the horizon Of his observation.
Perhaps it had also extended the
bounds of his ambition. He had doubt
less discovered many of his own de-
fects, and not unlikely had diligently
sought to remedy them. The period
following had for him been years of
work, study, and reflection. His pro-
fession of law had become q deeper
science and higher responsibility.
His practice, receiving his undivided
attention, brought him more important
and more remuneratiye cases. Losing
nothing of his genial humor, his char
acter took on the dignity of graver
manhood. He was still the center and
the idol of every social group he en-
countered, whether on the street or in
the parlor. Serene and bouyant OF
temper, cordial and winning of Ian
guage, charitable and tolerant of opin.
ion, his very presence diifused q glow
of confidence and kindness. Wher-
ever he went he left an overwhelming
ripple of smiles, jests, and laughter.
His radiant good fellowship was be.
loved and sought alike by political OPP
ponents and partisan friends. His
sturdy and delicate integrity, recog-
nized far and wide, had long since won
him the blunt but hearty sobriquet Of
Honest Old Abe" But it became no.
ticeable that of late years he was less
among the crowd and more in the soil.
tude of his Office OR his study, and that
he seemed ever in haste to leave the
eager circle he was entertaining.
It was in the midsummer of 1854
that we find him reappearing on the
stump in central Illinois. The rural
population always welcomed his ora.
tory, made up of ready wit, apt illus
tration, simple statement, forcible
logic. His diction was familiar to the
ear, his stories were racy Of the soil.
He never lacked for invitations to adj
dress the public. His first speeches
upon the new and all-absorbing topic
were made in the neighboring towns
and in the counties adjoining his own.
Towards the end of August the candi
dates for Congress in that district were
in Western phrase, ION the track.
"war Governors" sought reelection
as II Wing. Harris as Douglas Dem
ocrat strove to supplant him. Loca,
politics became active, and Lincoln was
sent for in all directions to address the
people. When he went, however, he
distinctly announced that he did no
purpose to take up his time with thi
personal and congressional controversy
His intention was to discuss the princi
pies of the Nebraska bill.
Once launched upon this theme me1
were surprised to find him imbued Will
new and unwonted seriousness. They
heard from his lips fewer anecdotes
and more history. Careless listener:
who came to laugh at his jokes sa
spell-bound by the strong current O
his reasoning and the flashes Of hi:
earnest eloquence, and were lifted NJ
by the range and tenor of his argument
into fresher and purer political at
mosphere.-Nicolay and Hay.